Thermosyphonic radiator



Aprill, 1969 Gael-101.1. 3,435,892 v THERMOSYPHONIC RADIATOR Filed ma 31, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 I N VENTOR.

United States Patent US. Cl. 165-131 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cast one-piece radiator element of the highest thermal efiiciency and minimum dimensions with a single row of vertical channels connecting an upper and lower header, wherein each channel is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite heat-transmitting ribs defining therewith a substantially H-shaped profile.

The present invention relates to a cast one-piece radiator element which, as seen in an end view, comprises a single row of vertical channels which connect a pair of horizontal headers and each of which is provided with heat-conducting ribs.

In the fully automatic production of cast radiator elements of the conventional type only approximately one third of the entire net cost of each radiator element is caused by the cast material, while the other two thirds are caused primarily by the cost of production of the casting mold and the casting operation and the costs of subsequently machining and finishing the individual radiator elements.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a radiator element of a higher thermal efficiency and smaller dimensions than those of the conventional radiator elements and to permit a casting mold of the usual volume to be employed for producing an integral radiator element with a much larger heating surface.

According to the invention this object is attained by providing a radiator element of the type first mentioned above wherein each vertical channel of a row of laterally adjacent channels is provided with two pairs of heat-conducting ribs which project in diametrically opposite directions from the walls of the channel and extend at right angles to the axis .of the channel and also at right angles to the axes of the horizontal headers which are connected by the channels, and wherein the ribs which project from each channel and are integral with the walls thereof and also with the walls of the horizontal headers are spaced from each other at substantially the same distance as that between the ribs of the adjacent pairs. This inventive construction of the radiator element has the advantage that each channel between the two headers is provided with the most effective heating surface and that, owing to the uniform distribution of equal ribs along the entire length of the radiator element, a uniform flow of air to and along each radiator element and thereby a uniform heat transmission to the surrounding air will be attained. The thermal efliciency of such a radiator element is approximately twice as high as that of a conventional radiator element of the same outer dimensions. This also permits a radiator composed of several such elements to be made of such small dimensions that it no longer is necessary to provide a special recess underneath a window. By casting this radiator element in one piece the further advantage is attained that the costs of production of the casting mold as well as the costs of casting, machining and finishing each radiator element are considerably reduced.

The above-mentioned as well as further features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a partial side view of a radiator element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section which is taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIG. 3 shows, partly in section, a front view of the radiator element according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As illustrated in the drawing, the radiator element according to the invention consists of two horizontal main pipes or headers 1, which extend parallel to each other and are connected to each other by a straight row of coplanar vertical columns forming water-conducting channels 2, 2', 2", 2" of any desired number which extend at right angles to pipes 1 and parallel to each other. These channels 2 to 2 have a substantially rectangular or elliptical cross section and, for transmitting its heat to the outside, each channel is provided with two pairs of ribs 3, 3', 3", and 3" which project from diametrically opposite points 4 of the channel walls 5 at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the channels 2 to 2" and also to the longitudinal axes of the headers 1 which they embrace at 6, 6', 6", 6" (FIG. 3), the upper and lower extremities of aligned ribs merging with each other, so that the parts 3, 5 and 6 of each columnhave a substantially H-shaped cross section, the web of the H being hollow and of a width appreciably less than that. of the headers 1. Thus, as shown, major portions of ribs 3 etc. directly contact the outer wall surfaces of these headers, with only the edges of the ribs projecting beyond the outlines of these wall surfaces.

The distance T between the pairs of ribs 3 to 3 of the adjacent channels 2 to 2" is made substantially equal to the distance 1 between the ribs which project from and are cast integrally with the walls 5 of each channel. This uniform spacing between all adjacent ribs of the integrally cast structure results in a uniform flow of air toward all ribs and thus also in the best possible and uniform heat transmission between the ribs and the surrounding air.

The plane of division of the casting mold for producing this radiator element preferably coincides with the plane which is determined by the longitudinal axes of the two headers 1, i.e. the vertical plane of symmetry as seen in FIG. 2 In this event, the wedge-shaped ribs 3 to 3 defining the legs of the H may also be cast without requiring special casting cores. It will be noted that the channels 2, 2' etc. are of generally rectangular cross section with a major dimension in the aforementioned vertical plane of symmetry, thus transverse to the radial plane of the headers 1.

Of course, it is also possible not only to interconnect a plurality of these radiator elements in a row so as to form a radiator of any desired length, but also to connect them so as to extend parallel to one another by means of transverse connecting pipes, not shown, which are secured to the connecting ends 7 of the headers 1.

Although my invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment there of, I wish to have it understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A radiator element comprising an integrally cast structure of heat-conductive material, said structure consisting of two parallel, vertically spaced horizontal headers interconnected by a plurality of vertical columns of generally H-shaped profile, the web of the H being hollow and forming a channel opening into the interior of said headers, the width of said web in a radial plane of the headers being substantially less than that of said headers, each column further comprising two pairs of longitudinal- 1y spaced vertical solid ribs extending transversely with reference to said headers on opposite sides of said channel and forming the legs of the H, said ribs being in direct contact with the outer surfaces of said headers and projecting beyond the outlines of said outer surfaces, said channel having a generally rectangular cross-section with a major dimension transverse to said radial plane.

2. A radiator element as defined in claim 1 wherein the cross-sections of said rib taper outwardly from said channel.

3. A radiator element as defined in claim 2 wherein the projecting edges of the ribs of each column are spaced apart by a distance substantially equaling the separation of the confronting ribs of adjoining columns.

4. A radiator element as defined in claim 1 wherein the 4 upper and lower extremities of each rib of one pair extend around the respective headers and merge with the corresponding extremities of an aligned rib of the other pair.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,329,198 1/1920! Meier 165-130 FOREIGN PATENTS 493,126 1/ 1950 Belgium 958,243 9/ 1949 France. 888,610 1/1962 Great Britain.

LLOYD D. KING, Primary Examiner.

ALBERT W. DAVIS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 165175 

